Pearl Tyrrell

Wednesday

Apr 17, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Pearl Tyrrell went to be with the Lord on the morning of Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the age of 95. She passed away of natural causes in the home of her daughter Deborah Thomas in Jacksonville, Ore., where she had been living in recent years. She leaves behind four surviving children, Dexter May, Paul May, Deborah Thomas, and Diana May, as well as eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Pearl is also survived by four loving stepchildren and their families, Dicki Bosley, Susan Fisher, Dennis Fisher, and Richard Tyrrell.

Born and raised in Portland, Ore., Pearl was part of the greatest generation. She was born at the end of WWI, raised during the Depression, and just missed being bombed in Pearl Harbor when her Navy husband and she were transferred to the states two weeks before December 7, 1941. Thankfully, Pearl enjoyed a long life, dancing professionally with the likes of Jimmy Durante, bearing five children, and competing non-professionally in bowling and golf. Beautiful, charismatic, and loyal, she enjoyed many friendships while devoting years to the raising of her children, serving as caregiver to her dying mother, and caring for her husband, Bill Tyrrell, for 24 years after he suffered a stroke.

Pearl was grateful every day to those who so tenderly cared for her. She and her family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the staff of Pioneer Village in Jacksonville, Ore., in particular the capable and supportive Linda Fox, and to the staff of Visiting Angels, especially our sweet Christine Reisbeck. You have all been her own wonderful angels during her final years. We also offer our deepest appreciation to all the staff at Providence Hospice of Providence Medford Medical Center for their kind and professional care of Pearl and their helpful support of her family in her last days.

I thank my God for every remembrance of you.

(Phillipians 1:3)

With a love for Jesus Christ that blessed your family, dear Pearl, may you now rest in peace in His loving arms at last, knowing that your family will forever love and miss you.

A private memorial will be held by family at home. Donations in her honor can be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project.